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Vehicle and equipment monitoring apparatus

Vehicle and equipment monitoring apparatus description/claims

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for monitoring vehicles and equipment.

2. Related Art and Prior Art Statement

The widespread existence of companies that utilize fleets of motor vehicles for carrying out work related activities is commonplace in the modern world. Local ordinances and laws, company procedures and policies, and liability concerns necessitate that the owners of work related motor vehicles keep careful track of their vehicles during use, and document the use of any utility equipment incorporated therewith used to perform certain tasks, such equipment used to clean sewer/collection lines including vacuums and hoses, equipment used to lift objects such as cranes and lifts, equipment used to transport and dispense material such as concrete drums and dump receptacles, equipment used to transport and dispense cable or wiring such as spools, etc. Although existing vehicle tracking systems are able to adequately monitor and track vehicle location and also the location of utility equipment incorporated therewith, existing systems suffer in that they are inherently unreliable, fail to provide a way to adequately collect information and safeguard it from unauthorized access and tampering, and fail to provide a way to collect information that is able to reliably show that the equipment managed and maintained by a vehicle was actually put to use. Given these and other deficiencies in the art, the need for certain new and useful improvements is evident.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus, including a vehicle having a safe and a utility device operable for performing a task having a result capable of being measured. A local processor is associated with local storage, each of which is housed in the safe. The safe prevents access to the local processor and the local storage housed therein. A positioning system associated with the local processor is also provided, which generates position information of the vehicle during operation of the utility device. A sensor associated with the utility device and the local processor is also provided, which generates result information of the result of the operation of the utility device. The local processor stores in the local storage the position information, and the result information. Also provided is an operator input console is carried by the vehicle for accepting operator input information about the operation of the utility device. The operator input console is associated with the local processor and is disposed outside of the safe so as to be accessible by an operator of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the operator input information. The operator input console and the local processor are adapted and arranged preventing access to the local storage in response to operation of the operator input console. The vehicle supports a cab. A smoke detector associated with the local processor is also provided, which generates smoke detection information from within the cab of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the smoke detection information. A breath detector associated with the local processor is also provided, which generates breath detection information from within the cab of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the breath detection information. The breath detector is associated with an in-cab hand-held transmitter of a communications radio onboard the vehicle. The cab is furnished with a passenger seat. A seat occupancy sensor is associated with the passenger seat, which generates passenger seat occupancy information of the passenger seat. The local processor stores in the local storage the passenger seat occupancy information. A central processor associated with central storage are also provided, each of which is housed at a central location remote from the vehicle. A wireless data transfer link is provided between the local processor and the central processor. The local processor accesses the storage and transmits the position information, the result information, the operator input information, the smoke detection information, the breath detection information, and the passenger seat occupancy information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link. The central processor receives and stores into the central storage the position information, the result information, the operator input information, the smoke detection information, the breath detection information, and the passenger seat occupancy information. Preferably, the positioning system is a global positioning system. At least one engine is carried by the vehicle providing it with mobility, in which the utility device is neither such an engine nor any part of such an engine. The wireless data transfer link is provided by a local data transfer radio associated with a local data transfer antenna each carried by the vehicle, and a corresponding central data transfer radio associated with a central data transfer antenna each housed at the central location. Preferably, the local data transfer radio is housed in the safe.

According to another embodiment of the invention there is provided apparatus, including a vehicle having a safe and a utility device operable for performing a task having a result capable of being measured. A local processor is associated with local storage, each of which is housed in the safe. The safe prevents access to the local processor and the local storage housed therein. An operator input console is carried by the vehicle for accepting operator input information about the operation of the utility device. The operator input console is associated with the local processor and is disposed outside of the safe so as to be accessible by an operator of the vehicle. A positioning system associated with the local processor is also provided, which generates position information of the vehicle during operation of the utility device. A sensor associated with the utility device and the local processor is also provided, which generates result information of the result of the operation of the utility device. The local processor stores in the local storage the position information, the result information, and the operator input information. The operator input console and the local processor are adapted and arranged preventing access to the local storage in response to operation of the operator input console. The vehicle supports a cab. A smoke detector associated with the local processor is also provided, which generates smoke detection information from within the cab of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the smoke detection information. A breath detector associated with the local processor is also provided, which generates breath detection information from within the cab of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the breath detection information. The breath detector is associated with an in-cab hand-held transmitter of a communications radio onboard the vehicle. The cab is furnished with a passenger seat. A seat occupancy sensor is associated with the passenger seat, which generates passenger seat occupancy information of the passenger seat. The local processor stores in the local storage the passenger seat occupancy information. A central processor associated with central storage are also provided, each of which is housed at a central location remote from the vehicle. A wireless data transfer link is provided between the local processor and the central processor. The local processor accesses the storage and transmits the position information, the result information, the operator input information, the smoke detection information, the breath detection information, and the passenger seat occupancy information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link. The central processor receives and stores into the central storage the position information, the result information, the operator input information, the smoke detection information, the breath detection information, and the passenger seat occupancy information. Preferably, the positioning system is a global positioning system. At least one engine is carried by the vehicle providing it with mobility, in which the utility device is neither such an engine nor any part of such an engine. The wireless data transfer link is provided by a local data transfer radio associated with a local data transfer antenna each carried by the vehicle, and a corresponding central data transfer radio associated with a central data transfer antenna each housed at the central location. Preferably, the local data transfer radio is housed in the safe.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention there is provided apparatus, including a vehicle having a safe and a utility device operable for performing a task having a result capable of being measured. A local processor is associated with local storage, each of which is housed in the safe preventing access to the local processor and the local storage housed therein. An operator input console is carried by the vehicle for accepting operator input information about the operation of the utility device. The operator input console is associated with the local processor and is disposed outside of the safe so as to be accessible by an operator of the vehicle. A positioning system is associated with the local processor, which generates position information of the vehicle during operation of the utility device. A sensor is associated with the utility device and the local processor, which generates result information of the result of the operation of the utility device. The local processor stores in the local storage the position information, the result information, and the operator input information. The operator input console and the local processor are adapted and arranged preventing access to the local storage in response to operation of the operator input console. Further to this embodiment is a central processor associated with central storage, each of which is housed at a central location remote from the vehicle. A wireless data transfer link is provided between the local processor and the central processor. The local processor accesses the storage and transmits the position information, the result information, and the operator input information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link. The central processor receives and stores into the central storage the position information, the result information, and the operator input information. Still further to this embodiment is a cab supported by the vehicle and a smoke detector associated with the local processor, which generates smoke detection information from within the cab of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the smoke detection information, accesses the storage and transmits the smoke detection information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link, in which the central processor receives and stores into the central storage the smoke detection information. Further to this embodiment is a breath detector associated with the local processor, which generates breath detection information from within the cab of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the breath detection information, accesses the storage and transmits the breath detection information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link, in which the central processor receives and stores into the central storage the breath detection information. Preferably, the breath detector is associated with an in-cab hand-held transmitter of a communications radio onboard the vehicle. The cab is also furnished with a passenger seat. A seat occupancy sensor is associated with the passenger seat, which generates passenger seat occupancy information of the passenger seat. The local processor stores in the local storage the passenger seat occupancy information, accesses the storage and transmits the passenger seat occupancy information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link. The central processor receives and stores into the central storage the passenger seat occupancy information. Preferably, the positioning system is a global positioning system. At least one engine is carried by the vehicle for providing the vehicle with mobility, in which the utility device is neither such an engine nor any part of such an engine. The wireless data transfer link is provided by a local data transfer radio associated with a local data transfer antenna each carried by the vehicle, and a corresponding central data transfer radio associated with a central data transfer antenna each housed at the central location. The local data transfer radio is housed in the safe.

In a vehicle including a cab, an engine for providing the vehicle with mobility, a utility device apart from the engine operable for performing a task having a result capable of being measured, a local processor associated with local storage each carried by the vehicle, an operator input console carried by the vehicle for accepting operator input information about the operation of the utility device and associated with the local processor, a positioning system associated with the local processor for generating position information of the vehicle during operation of the utility device, a sensor associated with the utility device and the local processor for generating result information of the result of the operation of the utility device, the local processor for storing in the local storage the position information and the result information and the operator input information, a central processor associated with central storage each housed at a central location remote from the vehicle, a wireless data transfer link between the local processor and the central processor, the local processor for accessing the storage and transmitting the position information and the result information and the operator input information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link, and the central processor for receiving and storing into the central storage the position information and the result information and the operator input information, improvements therein in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention include 1) the operator input console and the local processor adapted and arranged preventing access to the local storage in response to operation of the operator input console, 2) the local processor and the local storage each housed in a safe mounted to the vehicle, the safe preventing access to the local processor and the local storage housed therein, and 3) the operator input console disposed outside of the safe so as to be accessible by an operator of the vehicle. The improvements further include a smoke detector associated with the local processor, which generates smoke detection information from within the cab of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the smoke detection information, and also accesses the storage and transmits the smoke detection information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link, in which the central processor receives and stores into the central storage the smoke detection information. The improvements still further include a breath detector associated with the local processor, which generates breath detection information from within the cab of the vehicle. The local processor stores in the local storage the breath detection information, and also accesses the storage and transmits the breath detection information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link, in which the central processor receives and stores into the central storage the breath detection information. The improvements further specify that the breath detector is associated with an in-cab hand-held transmitter of a communications radio onboard the vehicle. The improvements still further specify a passenger seat in the cab, and a seat occupancy sensor associated with the passenger seat, which generates passenger seat occupancy information of the passenger seat. The local processor stores in the local storage the passenger seat occupancy information, and also accesses the storage and transmits the passenger seat occupancy information to the central processor via the wireless data transfer link, in which the central processor receives and stores into the central storage the passenger seat occupancy information.

Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated apparatus/system and method embodiments.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a vehicle and equipment monitoring apparatus constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle incorporating the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an interior of a cab of the vehicle of FIG. 2 illustrating therein an operator input console of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view much like that of FIG. 3 illustrating the operator input console and a safe of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the operator input console first set forth in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmented side elevational view of the vehicle of FIG. 2 illustrating a sensor of the apparatus of FIG. 1 associated with a fluid conduit;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 2 illustrating a sensor associated with a spool;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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